On the afternoon of November 5th news broke that the Cleveland Browns traded 32-year-old defensive end Za’Darius Smith to the Detroit Lions. Detroit was in the market for a pass rusher after losing defensive end Aidan Hutchinson for the 2024 season due to injury. The Lions receive Za’Darius Smith and a 2026 7th round draft pick. The Cleveland Browns receive a 2025 5th round pick and a 2026 6th round pick. This trade gives the Cleveland Browns 9 draft picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. 4 of those picks will be in the top 100 selections of the draft. Understanding the circumstances with both the Lions and the Browns this move makes sense for both teams and for Za’Darius Smith.

The Cleveland Browns are going into their bye week with a 2-7 record and need to start thinking about their future. A 32-year-old defensive end is not in their long-term future. The Browns need to rebuild or retool through the draft and draft capital is needed. The Detroit Lions are 7-1 and in Super Bowl contention and had a horrific injury to Aidan Hutchinson. The Lions need help at that position and Za’Darius Smith gives that to them. Za’Darius Smith now has an opportunity to play in the playoffs this season and potentially can finish his career with a contending team. The Browns did make another move prior to today’s trade deadline.

The Cleveland Browns terminated the contract of defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson prior to the trade deadline today. Jefferson was acquired last offseason as an unrestricted free agent. He was a healthy inactive the last few weeks. The Browns did try to trade him, and no team was willing to give any draft picks for him. The production of rookie defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr made Jefferson expendable. The Browns did help Jefferson by releasing him before the trade deadline. This way he doesn’t have to clear waivers to be a free agent.

I would view these moves today as the beginning of a soft rebuild or retooling the roster. I didn’t expect a fire sale or for the team to panic. The most telling moves will be in the offseason and the draft for 2025. I hope and pray that this is not a total rebuild but a simple reload.